Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Marquette tenders four forwards for '09-10

There may be 11 games remaining on the schedule for the Marquette Rangers and the Rangers are still be in the midst of a playoff run for this season.

Despite the focus on the present, the team has also begun preparations for next season by signing their first four tenders for the 2009-10 season.

The four players, all forwards, bring a variety of skill and experience to the club, according to Rangers head coach Kenny Miller.

“Each if these players brings something special to our team,” Miller said. “This has been a combined process with scouts within our organization and I can’t thank Tom Boileau, our director of player personnel, enough for all his hard work. I am very excited about this recruiting class we have put together so far.”

The tendered players include Andrew Kolb and Brent Bain of the Toledo Cherokee of the Central State Hockey League, Will Ford of Detroit Compuware of the Midwest Elite Hockey League and Bobby Bodette of the MWEHL’s Victory Honda.

According to Rangers personnel, the four will all be potential impact players for the club.

Kolb (pictured), a 19-year-old native of Toledo, Ohio, has 40 goals and 47 assists in 40 games so far this season for the Cherokee. According to Miller, he’s a player the fans will notice right away.

“Andrew is a true goal-scorer and every team needs a guy of his caliber to be successful," Miller said. "I expect him to come in and make a huge impact right away.”

Ford, a 17-year-old Ann Arbor native, is another player Miller feels will become a favorite at Lakeview Arena.

“Will is the type of player our fans will enjoy watching," said Miller. "He is a high-energy kid that comes to play every night.”

In 45 games this year Ford has three goals and three assists for six points.

Bain, 19, and another Toledo native, is another player Miller says the team will look to as adding to the scoring punch of the Rangers next season.

“Brent is a speedy forward that has an ability to find his teammates on the ice,” Miller said. “We expect Brent to step in and make an impact right away.”

In 39 games Bain has registered 27 goals and 45 assists for 72 points.

Bodette. 17, from downstate Flat Rock, is a guy Miller says the Rangers will be looking to for several possibilities in '09-10.

“Bobby has the ability to score goals as while adding a level of toughness to any lineup," added Miller. "He really comes in to our organization with a bright future in front of him.”

In 45 games this season, Bodette has 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points.